THE SPECTRUM GAMES DATABASE

ROCK STAR ATE MY HAMSTER

PUBLISHER
Codemaster

AUTHOR

YEAR

CATEGORY
Management Sim

CONTROLS

INSTRUCTIONS (inlay card text)

HI THERE POP PICKERS!
I'm Cecil Pitt: rock entrepreneur, creative genius, friend and
confidante to the stars. No doubt you've heard of me. I've been
a starmaker for some time  now, and I'd like to share my inside
knowledge o the ROCK BIZ with you in this article: 

THE CECIL PITT GUIDE TO ROCK MANAGEMENT PICKING YOUR STARS
How many superstars can you manage? one may be cheaper and
easier, but the more you have, the more popular you'll be - THINK
BIG! Should you go for the up-to-the-minute groovy pop megastars,
or save money on boring old has-beens? It's really up to you, and
what you can afford. As a general rule, cheaper stars are less
popular, less talented, and most prone to petty fits of rage and
jealousy. This is only a guide though, some of the nicest, most
talented and hard working rock stars I've managed have been
willing to work for only a few pounds a week. Remember, theres
one born every minute. Get to know the stars, their talents and
their modds. That way you can pick the members that suit your
style of management best, and GO FOR IT! 

MAKING THE BREAD 
OK, you've got the stars, you've got the management ability, but
how are you going to get that record deal? Can the band play
together? Get them to practise, listen to what they sound like,
do they sound like an outsight happening chart phenomenon to you?
Now it's time to build up their popularity. Record companies will
only be interested in your band if they've got the FANS who are
willing to buy theirlatest records. Touring and publicity helps,
of course, but choose your venues and ticket prices carefully if
this is your bands first outing then they're unlikely to fill a
stadium with tickets at £20.  Don't push the band too hard
either. Continued touring is great for building up income and
skills, best give them a break now and again. Lavish gifts and 
sffection on them: show them CARE. Otherwise you might find them
causing trouble, sking for unnecessary creative control, or worst
of all threatening to leave!

WHICH RECORD DEAL?
If you're persistant, and can manage your income and stars
successfully. Its inevitable that the record companies will start
approaching you. THINK CAREFULLY before you accept and deal
though, is a better offer going to come along soon? On the other
hand, don't be too choosy. Your band might not always be as
popular, and that's the very time those tempting record offers
will dry up.

GOING PLATINUM
That's the name of the game isn't it? (Actually no, the game's
called "Rock Star" - ED). So get the best possible recording
studio you can afford. And think carefully about naming the
band's groovy songs.  Now you've got a healthy stack of material
to release, so plan your releases carefully. It's up to you
whether you release a single or an album first, or hit the global
marketplace with them both together. One things for sure -
successful singles boost the sales of an LP, so try to get
maximum exposure for your potential toe-tapping chart-toppers.
Make a video whenever you can, but choose your directors,
locations and contents carefully.  Then, who knows? Instant
megastardom, or terminal oblivion down the annals of history? It
all depends on YOU; your skills, your decisions, your mistakes.
And there'll be more to deal with as well: sponsors, music,
pirates, taxman, the list goes on. Yes, it's hard work, and it
often means firing your best  friends, or telling them things
they don't want to hear. It's a dirty job,  but somebody's got
to do it. The rewards are there for the taking though,
collecting those 4 silver discs, watching your band climb the
steep slopes or commercial success, counting the money as it
flows in. And who could be better informed than you right now,
thanks to my immense generosity in sharing my vast knowledge of
the ROCK BIZ with you, in this CECIL PITT GUIDE TO ROCK
MANAGEMENT. So, that are you waiting for? Go grab your slice of
glory now -

THE CECIL PITT WAY.
GO FOR IT!

GENERAL FACTS

NOTES